By Uzo Ugwunze
Commissioner for Industry in Anambra State, Mr Christian Udechukwu has commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC over its recent landmark of issuance of exports certificates for processed food products within twenty-four hours.
Udechukwu stated this during a seminar organised by the Ministry for industries and Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, SMEs in the state tagged “Accelerating Made-In Anambra by promoting, developing non-oil export”
NAFDAC’s Deputy Director Enugu/Onitsha Port Inspection Directorate, Mrs. Uche Emekekwue had during the seminar, revealed that issuance of approvals for all exports activities could be done within 24 hours upon receipt of application.
“NAFDAC now has a process in place that enables her to issue export certification for processed food products within 24hours,” she said.
Describing the feat as significant milestone, the Commissioner said such achievement was addition to the state’s reputation and the new economic environment being created by Governor Chukwuma Soludo for ease of doing business in the state.
He said, “The news about NAFDAC now having a process in place that enables her to issue export certification for processed food products within 24hours is a significant milestone for us as a Ministry.
“This is moreso in view of the recent position of the state as number 1 in ease of doing business in Southeast and number 7 in Nigeria as well as best SME friendly state in the region.
“To discover that we can get SME processed food certification in 24hours is an addition to our reputation and the new economic environment Governor Chukwuma Soludo is creating for ease of doing business.
“We’re also in a commitment with NEPC to train SME processed food manufacturers to ensure they meet global best practices in terms of food lifespan.
“By this training, our food processors will know the best practices as it concerns food production, preservation and expiry dates.
“These are the things that make made-in Anambra products to be trusted globally. We want to produce not just the best quality products, but to include in them, information that enhance trust.
“That will not just promote trust for our non oil products, but will no longer be rejected. If it’s from Anambra, then it must be trusted, reliable and dependably produced in a sanitary environment.
“Ultimately, the certification process ensures there’s sanitization in the entire chain which creates trust, efficiency and prosperity.”
Also speaking, Regional Coordinator, South East, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Macpherson Fred-Ileogben identified insufficient recording of exports activities as part of challenges facing exports trading in the zone.
“But the challenge is that many of these trades are unrecorded. Everyday you see containers moving to the ports but many of them are not recorded. This is a major challenge.
“More need to be done as far as exports is concerned. The entire Southeast is predominantly import destination. All the players and stakeholders should work together to ensure export activities are boosted for increased foreign exchange reserve, job creation, among others.
“We in the NEPC are looking at how we can mainstream exports to ensure the activities are adequately tracked and the needed infrastructure provided. There’s also need for public enlightenment among the business community.”
Special Assistant to Soludo on Commerce and Industry, Eloka Maduekwe described exports as one major panecea to the nation’s dwindling economy.
“We want our youths and women to develop interests in exports and earn foreign exchange,” he added.